Walking through the study area of a local college
several years ago, one couldn't help overhear a loud conversation
between two people.

The subject was whether professional golfers are athletes.

Drawn into the conversation by virtue of where a third student decided
to sit down, the question was now directed to the newcomer that simply
desired some last minute cramming.

"Hey buddy, we're having a bit of an argument here, can you help us?"

"Sure," came the somewhat guarded reply.

"Do you think golfers are athletes?"

"Sure they are," responded the bookworm.

"Aww, what do you know? They're not," continued the adamant proponent of the opposite viewpoint.

The bookworm decided to go for coffee and found a new place to study.

The debate continues to rage and many express disappointment when a golfer wins an Athlete of the Year award.

The arguments for either side go something like this:

On the "No they're not athletes" side are those who point at a young
and tubby Jack Nicklaus or Craig Stadler. Stadler picked up "The
Walrus" moniker because of his girth and son Kevin appears cut from the
same mold. Does anyone remember 300 pound 1990 U.S. Amateur Champion
Chris Patton?

On the ladies' side, it's hard to look at recent U.S. Open champion Meg Mallon and think of her as an athlete.

The naysayers claims that the most exercise a golfer gets is walking
down the fairway, as compared to a basketball player that runs all over a
court for several hours.

Golf is often called a game or a pastime, rather than a sport, they
insist -- another subject that necessitates inclusion here.

Perhaps the pristine nature, fawning fans and commentators, and country
club snobbery usually associated with golf also contributes to the "no"
camp.

I don't like the idolatry connected with golf (or any sport) and roll
my eyes when I see fans think they are on a first name basis with the
players while wearing expensive garb.

The "Yes" side points at Tiger Woods and Greg Norman -- obviously very fit individuals.

And let's not forget the athletic and graceful Annika Sorenstam and
former PGA Tour pro Mac O'Grady, a veteran of several marathons.

They also speak of walking three or four miles over a sometimes hilly
18 holes while speaking of the need for strong legs, arms, and back.

The "Yes" team also argues that golfers can play for no pay by missing a
cut, pay their own expenses, and make their own travel arrangements.

Yet, those arguments hold no water when it comes to athletic ability -- they are necessary evils of life as a touring pro.

Besides, no can convince me that Tiger Woods walks into the local
travel agency and books a flight and hotel with the next available
agent.

By what standard is a sport and an athlete defined? I always go to a reliable source; in this case the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster defines athlete as: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.

It's true that in terms of physically beating up one's body, golf is
well down the totem pole and it's difficult to argue the mental side
since every sport has its own challenges.

Of course, comparing the grace and athleticism of Craig Stadler to
Michael Jordan in his prime is a joke. Yet, both fit the definition of
athlete for their respective sport.

Jordan, a fine golfer, once received an exemption into the Western
Amateur golf championship over a course he played regularly, and he
finished 161st out of 162 in the medal play portion -- not even making
it to match play.

Golf does require physical effort -- especially if one walks the course
-- and swinging a club involves leg, back, arm, and chest muscles.

Walking 18 holes over hilly terrain does take stamina so on that alone a golfer does qualify as an athlete.

Granted, those who use carts and call it exercise are only fooling themselves.

Maybe our perception of what athletic ability is needs adjusting.

After all, under the dictionary definition, a professional dart player or bowler plays a sport and is an athlete.

Although throwing a projectile at a board or rolling a ball down a
waxed piece of wood doesn't build up much of a sweat, it does require
dexterity.

Reading about and watching some Olympic sports, one is curious how the
tag line of "Faster, Higher, Stronger," came into play.

The 1900 Olympics had live pigeon shooting (the poor birds weren't
thrilled either) and in recent times we've had synchronized swimming and
rhythmic gymnastics.

I struggle to accept several dictionary -- defined sports as such, yet Webster has me by the book.

Of the major sports, baseball has had its share of roly-poly characters.

There was long ball hitting Cecil Fielder, Fernando Valenzuela, and "Big Tub of Goo" Terry Forster.

Several NFL linemen are well over 300 pounds and one look tells you it isn't all muscle.

Golf has its chubby set or round bellies as Lee Trevino calls them. It also has its flat bellies.

While it looks like David Toms would blow over in a moderate wind, baseball had 5'4" Fred Patek.

Hale Irwin was a two-time All-Big Eight selection as a Colorado
defensive back in the 1960s and made the school's All-Century football
team.

Also, big Jim Thorpe earned a scholarship to Morgan State as a running back.

It's a thorny issue comparing athletes in different sports and the debate will always rage over who are the best athletes.

Basketball players are often called the fittest, however, could any of them complete the original Ironman Triathlon?

So then, going by what the dictionary says, golf is a sport and golfers are athletes.

I once heard a talking head on a PGA broadcast (major network) talking about what a great athlete Tiger is....said he could have started D1 at safety or CB for many college football teams.

How hard can you laugh at a dumbass statement like that?!?!?

Athletes take up golf more easily than schmucks. But give me a fuckin' break. I can hit a baseball better than Tiger, play tennis better than Phil, play hoop better than Bubba, and throw/catch passes better than 90% of them. But golf...forget about it.

Athletes take up golf more easily than schmucks. But give me a fuckin' break. I can hit a baseball better than Tiger, play tennis better than Phil, play hoop better than Bubba, and throw/catch passes better than 90% of them. But golf...forget about it.

And you know this how? I'm guessing you have no clue how those guys perform in other sports....

Plus if 50 year olds can compete well with the 30 year olds then i dont think it should be a sport... (it does help to be athletic to play golf, no argument there) but being athletic is not necessary in golf.

you got some old guys(even 60 year olds) that look very out of shape, not even strong or fast, competing with the young guys.

Plus if 50 year olds can compete well with the 30 year olds then i dont think it should be a sport... (it does help to be athletic to play golf, no argument there) but being athletic is not necessary in golf.

you got some old guys(even 60 year olds) that look very out of shape, not even strong or fast, competing with the young guys.

not a sport... just like i dont consider car racing a sport either..

Jamie Moyer is 47.......wasn't Julio Franco even older? Is baseball not really a sport or not requiring athleticism?

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